Congressman Says Democrats Need To Focus on ‘Reestablishing Our Own Credibility’ Instead of Wasting Time on Trump Criticism

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) urged fellow Democrats to spend more time “reestablishing our own credibility,” instead of focusing on trivial matters, Tuesday.

During an appearance on NewsNation’s Cuomo, Smith argued:

We do need to be a lot more selective about what we’re concerned about that Trump’s doing. I think you’re absolutely right. I mean, the week we spent about, you know, Elon Musk’s salute seemed like a waste of time. I think we need to focus more specifically on issues. Now, when Trump comes out and says he’s just not going to spend money on any domestic programs, that’s probably worth talking about, and it’s had a significant impact.

He continued:

My party needs to reestablish our credibility on a number of issues. It’s not going to be enough, even if it is strategic and tactical and smart, to criticize what Donald Trump does. I mean, we have to do that and we have to do it intelligently, it’s just not gonna be enough because we don’t have the credibility that we need on issues like immigration, like DEI, dealing with racism and discrimination, like the economy. I think we need to spend more time reestablishing our own credibility, not just bashing on what Trump does.

Smith went on to mention crime, homelessness, and affordable housing as just a few areas where Democrats needed to reestablish credibility.

“If we govern well, that’s the best thing we can do to counter Trump, so what are we doing about crime, about homelessness, about drug abuse, about affordable housing?” he questioned. “But we can’t build housing in part because of all the rules, all the regulations, all of the incompetence of Democratic governance. Fix that, okay? Show people that we can build housing. Show people that we do believe in opportunity and personal responsibility. You can believe in both and you’ll do a better job of delivering for people if you do.”

Watch above via NewsNation.